Short-term changes in median nerve neural tension after a suboccipital muscle inhibition technique in subjects with cervical whiplash: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the immediate effect of a suboccipital muscle inhibition (SMI) technique on: (a) neck pain, (b) elbow extension range of motion during the upper limb neurodynamic test of the median nerve (ULNT-1), and (c) grip strength in subjects with cervical whiplash; and determine the relationships between key variables. DESIGN: Randomised, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Forty subjects {mean age 34 years [standard deviation (SD) 3.6]} with Grade I or II cervical whiplash and a positive response to the ULNT-1 were recruited and distributed into two study groups: intervention group (IG) (n=20) and control group (CG) (n=20). INTERVENTIONS: The IG underwent the SMI technique for 4minutes and the CG received a sham (placebo) intervention. Measures were collected immediately after the intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was elbow range of motion during the ULNT-1, measured with a goniometer. The secondary outcomes were self-perceived neck pain (visual analogue scale) and free-pain grip strength, measured with a digital dynamometer. RESULTS: The mean baseline elbow range of motion was 116.0° (SD 10.2) for the CG and 130.1° (SD 7.8) for the IG. The within-group comparison found a significant difference in elbow range of motion for the IG [mean difference -15.4°, 95% confidence interval (CI) -20.1 to -10.6; P=0.01], but not for the CG (mean difference -4.9°, 95% CI -11.8 to 2.0; P=0.15). In the between-group comparison, the difference in elbow range of motion was significant (mean difference -10.5°, 95% CI -18.6 to -2.3; P=0.013), but the differences in grip strength (P=0.06) and neck pain (P=0.38) were not significant. CONCLUSION: The SMI technique has an immediate positive effect on elbow extension in the ULNT-1. No immediate effects on self-perceived cervical pain or grip strength were observed.

Experiencia pionera en España con nefrectomía LESS de donante vivo / Pioneer Experience in Spain with LSSS Nephrectomy in Living Donor

Introducción: La cirugía LESS (Laparoendoscopic single site surgery) es una técnica quirúrgica que pretende realizar la cirugía intraabdominal mediante un único puerto de entrada, permitiendo una reducción del número y tamaño de las incisiones, consiguiendo mejores resultados estéticos con, al menos, los mismos resultados funcionales que la cirugía laparoscópica convencional. Material y métodos: Presentamos la primera experiencia de nefrectomía LESS de donante vivo realizada por un equipo íntegramente europeo. Para su realización se colocó un dispositivo Quadport® a través de una incisión paraumbilical de 4 centímetros de longitud. Resultados: La nefrectomía se realizó siguiendo los estándares de la cirugía laparoscópica convencional, con el uso de un instrumento precurvado en la mano izquierda e instrumentos rectos en la derecha. Tras el embolsado del riñón se seccionaron la arteria y la vena previo clipaje, permitiendo una extracción rápida del órgano a través de la misma incisión, con una isquemia caliente de 3,30” y 2,47” respectivamente. Conclusión: La nefrectomía de donante vivo mediante la técnica LESS es factible, y puede ser considerada una buena opción para la obtención de injertos renales de vivo en varones. La aplicación de dicha técnica quirúrgica en la donación renal de vivo puede incrementar la tasa de donación, al reducir la morbilidad y mejorar los resultados estéticos, con los mismos resultados tanto para el donante como para el receptor (AU)

Introduction: LESS surgery (Laparoendoscopic single site surgery) is a surgical technique that aims to perform intraabdominal surgery using a single site entry, allowing for reduction in the number and size of the incisions, achieving better esthetic results with at least the same functional outcomes as with the conventional laparoscopic surgery. Material and methods: We present the first experience of LESS living donor nephrectomy carried out by a totally European team. To perform it, a Quadport® device was placed through a 4cm long paraumbilical incision. Results: The nephrectomy was performed using the standards of conventional laparoscopic surgery, with the use of a precurved instrument in the left hand and straight instruments in the right. After bagging the kidney, the artery and vein were sectioned after clipping, allowing for rapid extraction of the organ through the same incision, with warm ischemia of 3.30” and 2.47,” respectively. Conclusion: Living donor nephrectomy using the LESS technique is feasible and can be considered a good option for obtaining live donor kidney grafts in males. The application of said surgical in living kidney donor can increase the rate of donation, by reducing morbidity and improving the esthetic results with the same outcome for the donor as for the recipient (AU)

[Pioneer experience in Spain with LSSS nephrectomy in living donor]. / Experiencia pionera en España con nefrectomía LESS de donante vivo.

INTRODUCTION: LESS surgery (Laparoendoscopic single site surgery) is a surgical technique that aims to perform intraabdominal surgery using a single site entry, allowing for reduction in the number and size of the incisions, achieving better esthetic results with at least the same functional outcomes as with the conventional laparoscopic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the first experience of LESS living donor nephrectomy carried out by a totally European team. To perform it, a Quadport® device was placed through a 4 cm long paraumbilical incision. RESULTS: The nephrectomy was performed using the standards of conventional laparoscopic surgery, with the use of a precurved instrument in the left hand and straight instruments in the right. After bagging the kidney, the artery and vein were sectioned after clipping, allowing for rapid extraction of the organ through the same incision, with warm ischemia of 3.30" and 2.47," respectively. CONCLUSION: Living donor nephrectomy using the LESS technique is feasible and can be considered a good option for obtaining live donor kidney grafts in males. The application of said surgical in living kidney donor can increase the rate of donation, by reducing morbidity and improving the esthetic results with the same outcome for the donor as for the recipient.

Kinematic analysis of handbike propulsion in various gear ratios: implications for joint pain.

BACKGROUND: Though considered more efficient and less constraining than the hand-rim wheelchair, the handbike has rarely been studied especially as regards its kinematic parameters. The hypothesis of this investigation is that the range of upper extremity motions are risk factors for joint pain during handbiking as is the case during hand-rim wheelchair propulsion. This paper aims to study handbike propulsion in maximal sprint conditions in order to determine potential risk factors for joint pain. METHODS: Eight able-bodied participants with no experience in handbike propulsion performed three sprints of 8 s each using three gear ratios in a handbike mounted on a home-trainer. The mean velocity per arm cycle, the cycle frequency, the angular parameters for the upper extremities were calculated, as well as the corresponding angular accelerations, with the help of a 3D movement analysis. FINDINGS: An increase in gear ratio (22/21, 32/21, and 44/21) significantly increases the maximal velocity, the flexion/extension of the trunk, as well as the adduction/abduction of the elbow, while it reduces the frequency of movements and the flexion/extension angular accelerations of the shoulder and the elbow. Regardless of what gear ratio is used, maximal angular amplitudes of the upper extremities are comparable to the values obtained with a hand-rim wheelchair. Interpretation. The high amplitudes and fast angular joint accelerations of the upper extremity found in this study are near or superior to the ergonomic recommendations generally advised. These considerations could be taken into account to prevent overuse injuries.